Demented laughter and screams in Embodiment of Evil

Oh, and cannibalism, torture by rats and/or spiders, hideous spectres augmented by plenty of blood, plus thumping music. Marins certainly knows the value of what the French would call Grand Guignol.

Not satisfied with just directing, he also plays Coffin Joe, the undertaker villain in the third part of a trilogy. This time "CJ" — a popular character in Brazil — is released from prison after 40 years to search for the woman who can deliver him the son who will continue his dastardly bloodline.

Once out, he meets his elderly hunchback assistant and a posse of oddities who regard him as worthy of total obedience. Most of them are pretty and half naked.

"This," says José, "is the horror Bible for the whole of Latin America." I particularly liked the evil laughter and practised it sotto voce all the way home on the Tube.